Jesse Peretz

With his background in successful music videos and lucrative commercials, Peretz next looked to tackle features and was intrigued by an early short story by British author Ian McEwan. He adapted the story along with screenwriter David Ryan (another ex-Lemonhead) into the script for "First Love, Last Rites" (1998), a slow paced, sexually charged drama set in the Louisiana bayou. Terrified at the prospect of directing actors, something he had very little experience in as a music video director, Peretz took some time to work in theater, directing several plays to get his footing. Once confident, he helmed his first feature which examined the development and fallout of an intense teenage love af... Continue Bio >>